Readings: Exodus 33:7-11,34:5-9,28, Ps. 103:6-13, John 11:19-27
“And Moses made haste to bow his head toward the earth and worshipped. And he said, ‘If now I have found favour in thy sight, O Lord, let the Lord, I pray thee, go in the midst of us, although it is a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thy inheritance.” (Exodus 34:8-9).
Upon returning from the mountain with the stone tablets, Moses could have kept his mouth shut in timidity since the crowd outnumbered him. He could have succumbed to pressure like the weak Aaron, who fashioned a golden calf for them. But then, Moses stood his ground for what was right, even if it was unpopular. Moses did not believe in the dictum: “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Instead, he beat them until they all joined him. This is leadership.
Leadership is not easy, but there is a secret to being successful at it: PRAYER. As a man, Moses was physically weak; he had lost his youth. He was a meek person. He couldn’t speak coherently and confidently (hence the need for Aaron). The success of his leadership prowess came from his constant meetings with God. Every good leader must have a tent of meeting with God. Every good leader must have the habit of going up the mountain to consult with God. We are powerless if we are not in tune with God through daily prayer. God had decided to destroy the people, but Moses pleaded and spared the nation. In truth, leaders are prayer warriors.
Today, we celebrate three saints who were very close friends of Jesus Christ: Mary, Martha, and their brother, Lazarus. Today’s Gospel passage contains many lessons. Sometimes, God allows things to happen that we do not want, not because He enjoys seeing us cry, but because that is His plan. We cannot completely understand God; we only need to trust Him.
Mary and Martha could not understand how Jesus could be so friendly with the family, yet when He received news that Lazarus was very sick, He failed to show up. Jesus didn’t need to come; He could have cured Lazarus from a distance by simply speaking the Word (like the case of the Centurion’s servant in Matthew 8:5-13). Jesus did nothing to prevent Lazarus from dying because He had a bigger and better plan.
Mary and Martha buried Lazarus in pain and disappointment. It is difficult to speak of faith when faced with serious challenges, when prayers are unanswered, or when tragedies strike. When Mary and Martha were still grieving, Jesus showed up. Would you welcome Jesus into your house if you were in Mary and Martha’s shoes? If your brother were sick and you sent for his friend (one who had the power to heal your brother), but his friend never came. If your brother eventually dies, would you even allow his friend to step into the house? Have you abandoned your faith because God did not answer your prayer in the past?
Despite her brother’s death, Martha still had faith in Jesus. She ran to welcome Him when she heard He was coming to her house. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” (John 11:21-22). Inspired by such great faith, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Do not give up on God when the going becomes tough. You do not know what God is planning for you.
One outstanding quality about Mary is that she prioritised listening to God’s Word. Martha was busy serving when Jesus visited their home, but Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him. Martha wanted Jesus to ask Mary to assist her in the kitchen, but to her surprise, Jesus said: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is a need for only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42). Do you, like Mary, take time daily to sit at Jesus’ feet to listen to His Word?
While Martha’s life inspires us to have deep faith in God, Mary shows us the importance of listening to the Word of God, and from Lazarus, we learn the importance of developing friendships with God. The Gospels do not provide us with much information about Lazarus’ life, except that he was a friend of Jesus. What kind of friends do you have? Can you boast of any of your friends raising you from the dead? If not, make Jesus your best friend today. On the other hand, if your friends are drawing you away from God, they do not deserve to remain your friends.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, strengthen our faith, love, and devotion to you. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Exodus 33:7-11,34:5-9,28, Ps. 103:6-13, John 11:19-27)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu